Mankhim, also written Mangkhim, is the temple of the Kirat Rai community on a ridge at about 1,980 m above Aritar in Pakyong district. In the Rai language mang means deity and khim means house. The Rai gather here twice a year for Sakewa. It is a place of worship first and a viewpoint second.
Rai nameMangkhimMeans: Mang is deity and khim is house, so the house of the deitySource: Wikipedia: Mankhim
Best months
Mar–May and Oct–Dec; Sakewa in Apr–May
Nights we suggest
0–1
From Gangtok
≈ 75 km · 3.5 h via Aritar
Altitude
≈ 1,980 m
Known for
Kirat Rai temple, Sakewa, sunrise views
Permit
Not needed
About Mankhim
What to know before you go
Mankhim stands on a ridge above Aritar, around 1,980 m above sea level, at a spot Wikipedia's Aritar article places at a village called Maity or Kheselakha. It is a temple of the Kirat Rai, one of the Kirati peoples of Sikkim, Nepal and the Darjeeling hills. The name is Rai: mang means deity and khim means house, as Wikipedia's article on Mankhim records.
The temple is reached by a road that climbs about 30 minutes from Aritar lake, followed by a short walk from the roadside to the top. From the ridge, Lampokhari looks like a drawn line below, the Rangpo valley falls away to the south, and on clear mornings the snow peaks stand on the north-west horizon. Sunrise is the best hour, and many Aritar homestays arrange early drives.
Most days Mankhim is quiet. Twice a year, in spring and again in late autumn, the Rai community gather here for Sakewa, the festival of the earth. Come as a guest: ask before photographing rituals, do not walk through dancers, and follow the guidance of local volunteers. Check current status and festival dates before you travel.
Highlights
What to see and do
The Kirat Rai temple
A simple place of worship for the Rai community, set on the top of the ridge. Visit quietly, remove shoes, and ask a local before photographing the shrine or any ceremony in progress.
Sunrise from the ridge
Leave Aritar around 5 am in season. On clear mornings you see the Kangchenjunga range to the north-west and the Rangpo valley below. Cloud often rolls in by 8 am, so go early and carry a jacket.
Sakewa festival
In April or May the Rai gather here for the earth festival, with dance, drums and recitation. Dates follow a lunar calendar and a second gathering is held in late autumn. Check current status before you travel.
Forest road from Aritar
The drive up passes cardamom plots and mixed forest in about 30 minutes. You can walk down to Aritar village through forest and fields in 2 to 3 hours with a local guide.
Mankhim hill homestays
A few homestays stand near the temple at about 1,900–2,000 m, with the widest views in the area. Rooms are simple and nights are cooler than at the lake.
The story of Mankhim
Sakewa and the Mundhum
Wikipedia's article on Mankhim records that the Rai community assembles at the temple twice a year for Sakewa, usually in April or May. Sakewa, also written Sakela, is described by Wikipedia as a festival of the Khambu Rai, and is tied to the Kirat year, which has two halves: Ubhauli, the going up, in spring, and Udhauli, the coming down, in the late year. The Rai ritual tradition is carried in the Mundhum, the oral scripture of the Kirat peoples, which Wikipedia describes as a body of teachings passed down through recitation. At Sakewa, a ritual leader, called a nakchhong in Rai tradition, recites verses while dancers circle to drums and cymbals. Many steps imitate farm work or animals. The festival is worship of the earth, asking for good harvests and protection. Visitors are welcome as guests when invited by local custom, but the ceremonies belong to the community, and nobody should treat them as a performance.
Wikipedia gives Mankhim's height as about 6,500 ft, or roughly 1,980 m, and says it is in Maity village, also written Kheselakha, in the Aritar area.
Source: Wikipedia: Aritar, Sikkim
Mankhim is one of six villages named for forest eco-development committees around Pangolakha Wildlife Sanctuary, along with Dalepchand, Lingtam, Phadamchen, Zuluk and Gnathang.
Source: Wikipedia: Pangolakha Wildlife Sanctuary
Wikipedia says the Rai assemble at Mankhim twice a year for Sakewa, with the spring gathering usually falling in April or May.
There is no regular shared service to the temple. Take a shared jeep from Gangtok or Siliguri to Rhenock or Aritar, then hire a local car for the 30 minute climb, about ₹800–1,500 return including waiting. Ask your homestay to arrange it.
Private car
From Gangtok it is about 75 km and 3.5 hours via Pakyong, Rorathang and Aritar. The last section is narrow and steep, so a driver who knows it matters. A reserved small car from Gangtok costs about ₹4,000–5,500 for a day.
From Bagdogra / NJP
About 115–120 km and 4.5–5 hours via Rangpo, Rorathang and Aritar. NH10 can close after monsoon slides, and the alternative is via Kalimpong and Pedong. Pakyong Airport has no scheduled flights, so plan on Bagdogra (IXB) or NJP.
Permits in Pakyong and the Silk Route
The upper Silk Route beyond Rongli, including Lingtam, Padamchen, Zuluk, Thambi View Point, Nathang and Kupup, is a protected area open to Indian nationals only. The permit is processed at Rongli for named people, dates and a vehicle, usually through a registered agent, driver or homestay; carry original photo ID, copies and two passport photos. Foreign nationals, including OCI holders, are not allowed beyond Rongli, but Aritar, Mankhim, Rhenock, Rorathang, Rangpo and Pakyong town need only the general Sikkim entry permit. For Rolep, ask us. Check current status before you travel.
Mankhim hill homestays sit near the temple at about 1,900–2,000 m, with the widest views and cooler nights; our mankhim-hill-homestays listing describes them. Aritar's lakeside homestays at about 1,450 m are more convenient for first-timers, and Lampokhari Village Resort is the more comfortable option. If you want a sunrise at the temple, stay the night before on the hill or at the lake and leave around 5 am. Book ahead around Sakewa, when families visit.
Mankhim, also written Mangkhim, is a Kirat Rai temple at about 1,980 m on a ridge above Aritar in Pakyong district. Wikipedia says mang means deity and khim means house in Rai. The community gathers here twice a year for Sakewa.
Can tourists visit Mankhim?
Yes, tourists can visit during daylight as guests. It is a working place of worship, so remove shoes, keep quiet and ask before photographing. Access during ceremonies may be limited. Check current status before you travel.
How far is Mankhim from Aritar?
About 30 minutes by car from Aritar lake, then a short walk from the road to the top. A walk down through forest takes 2 to 3 hours with a guide. Roads are narrow, so take a local driver.
When is Sakewa at Mankhim?
The spring festival falls around the Baisakh full moon, usually April or May, with a second gathering in late autumn. Dates are lunar and change each year. Ask locally and check current status before you travel.
Do we need a permit for Mankhim?
No. Mankhim is in the Aritar area, outside the Silk Route protected area, so there is no special permit. Sikkim's ₹50 per tourist entry fee is collected by hotels at check-in. Check current status before you travel.
Is there a fee to enter the temple?
There is no fixed fee that we know of. A small donation is welcome. Parking or access charges may apply on festival days. Ask your driver or homestay before you go and check current status before you travel.
Can we photograph the ceremonies?
Often, but always ask first. Some rituals are private, and some people do not want to be photographed. Avoid flash and drones, never block dancers and offer to share pictures. Follow the instructions of local volunteers.
What is the best time of day to visit?
Sunrise, around 5:30 to 7 am depending on season, when the peaks may be clear and the ridge is quiet. Cloud often covers the view by 8 am. Late afternoon is also pleasant, but views are less reliable.
Is Mankhim suitable for seniors?
The temple is reachable by car with a short walk from the road, which many seniors manage slowly. Steps and paths may be uneven. The walk down through forest is not suitable for most seniors. Ask your host about the walk before you go.
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